The sparkling spring sun was our first greeting as the Rotary Club of Ojai stalwarts gathered at St. Thomas Aquinas fellowship hall for their weekly conclave of bright minds and brighter ideas to steer the world through the straits of nihilism and despair into the wide ocean of promise and possibility. Plus, bad jokes. And good food.
Our Zoomers included Dr. Bob Skankey, Dr. Frank Finck and Catherine Lee, who reclined luxuriously on a settee from an undisclosed location.
Our capo di tutti capo, Betsy Watson, said she “would like to thank the following people,” and thereby, with those fateful words, summoned the ghost of Uncle Jack Huyler, who asked rhetorically, “Why do people always say they’d ‘like to thank so and so,’ and then they never do?”
Stripping us our filthy lucre was Deirdre Daly, with her sidekick Don Reed handing out the bracelets for Taste of Ojai this April 10th.
Our amiable greeter par excellence was the always impeccably styled Leslie Bouche
Pledge - Don Reed led us through the pledge, after explaining that the heart isn’t (or is?) on the left side, but right in the center of our chests.
Invocat
ion - Tony Thacher’s poignant prayer was inspired by April as Rotary’s Maternal & Child Health Month:
"April is designated as Maternal and Child Health Month by Rotary International, one of the seven areas of focus of TRF. You all know our little Ojai Club supports a number of programs in this field already—in Ghana, India, Niger and here in our own valley. Thanks to those of you helping with the diaper bank project this week.
But this got me to thinking about the many mothers around the world leaving their homes and loved ones to flee with their children to protect them from harm. There is a fierceness in mother love stronger than love of parents, of husband and of country. She packs up her brood in backpack, front pack, hip or on foot, children she once unpacked from her womb. She carries what she can to succor them, packing, unpacking and repacking for days and nights on end. She seeks to cross a thin but dangerous black line on a map that will carry them to a safer place, separating her from her homeland--from Yemen, Guatemala, Syria or Ukraine, a country she may never return to and her children may never remember.
As Ojai Rotarians we will double down on promoting Maternal and Child Health as well as Peace and Conflict Resolution, not because of directives from on high, but because we are Rotarians and we believe in Service Above Self, and that we can, one small step at a time, make a better and safer place for mothers, and for their children.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- President Betsy, said that she’s just returned from a trip to find “a Battlefield of Befuddlements,” a term of art which we will borrow liberally. She informed us that this Fifth Friday, April 29th, we will assemble "Flash Mob 5th Friday of Appreciation. Rotarians are encouraged to gather up at Taste of Ojai participating restaurants for informal lunches to show our appreciation for their hard work and support of our most important fund-raising event.” Sounds fun — I’m in.
- Betsy presented an award to Terri Wolfe, erstwhile executive director of HELP of Ojai for their “Great Plates” program, which not only kept thousands fed during the darkest days of the pandemic, but kept dozens of restaurants from closing by supporting them as the meal vendors.
- Dr. Fred Fauvre, Living Treasures chair, said that we’re seeking nominees, people who make the community a better place through their volunteering and hard work. Started by Sanford Drucker in 1995, we’ve recognized hundreds of community members and it’s become one of Ojai’s most sought-after recognitions. Deadline for voting is April 26th. Go to the Rotary Club of Ojai Living Treasures website and vote by ballot or online.
- Kathy Yee, chair of Taste’s auction committee, ran down a list of the key prizes for the live auction, including a guided tour for four of Turkey, a mid-week stay with spa vouchers and golf package at the Ojai Valley Inn. As of Friday, we’ve sold 430 of the 450 tickets available, a tremendous success considering the entire event has been re-imagined as a downtown journey of food, wine and art.
PROGRAMS
Andy Gilman said there will no program next week as its Easter weekend.
April 22 - we will conduct an Al West Arbor Day Event at St. Thomas, planting a shade tree for the busy facility.
April 29 - no noon meeting, we will cluster up in groups at local restaurants to show our appreciation for their participation in Taste of Ojai.
May 6 - our own Marc Whitman, the famed architect, will talk about plans for the OUSD HQ property, the choicest piece of real estate in all of Ventura County.
MEMBERSHIP MINUTE
Marty Babayco welcomed new-ish member Sean McDermott up to the head of the class to award him his Blue Badge, which means he’s attended committee meetings and signed off on a line of requirements to know the club better.
As Sean has proved time and again, he’s not one to shirk responsibility, as his hard work as facilities manager for the Taste of Ojai has proven. He’s been an immeasurable asset to the club. Andy Gilman mentioned his spirit of rolling up his sleeves and getting busy, and presented him with his Rotary Work Shirt.
FINING
Cindy Frings gave the event a different spin, by setting up a 50-50 drawing by asking people to guess net profit for this year’s Taste of Ojai. Guesses ranged from the low 30s to high 50s. It appeared that more than a dozen members entered their guesses at $20 each - half of which will go to the club, the other half to either the winner or to their charity of choice.
But first, confessions. Rene Halbrook thanked the Ceramics Department at Nordhoff for their excellent program, and urged everyone to support their auction by either donating items or bidding on them.
PROGRAM
Megan Telfer and Jayn Walter, co-directors of Help of Ojai presented an overview of their organization’s massive efforts during the pandemic. Formed to “meet the unmet needs of the Ojai Valley,” Help of Ojai really had its work cut out for it the past two years.
Bios:
- Jayn Walter received a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from the University of Houston-Downtown. She and her husband moved to Ojai, California in 2016, where Jayn completed her graduate field study as an intern at HELP of Ojai. Jayn began working for HELP in June 2017 and she served as the Program Director and Case Manager at the Community Assistance Program for 4.5 years.
One of Jayn's proudest accomplishments during her time at HELP of Ojai was leading the organization's Thomas Fire relief program. Jayn transitioned into the role of Co-Executive Director of HELP of Ojai in January 2022.
- Megan Telfer interned at HELP of Ojai's Community Assistance Program through the Augustinian Volunteers in 2015. After her service year, she moved to Ojai. In January of 2019 she joined the HELP staff as the activities director, while completing a master's degree in Public Health. During COVID-19, Megan co-managed the Great Plates program and organized helping seniors and agriculture workers get vaccinated. She transitioned into the role of Co-Executive Director of HELP of Ojai in January of 2022.
They ran us through a brisk presentation of their senior programs …
i.e. Classes and services offered to aging adults at low or no cost; Focus on movement, emotional support, socialization; additional services such as free tax aid and skin cancer screenings; and the Loan Closet.
Community Assistance Program is another critical aspect, now housed on Montgomery Street in the former Cafe Emporium. Those programs include the food pantry, food distribution, utility assistance, dental programs, clothing vouchers and the management of Ojai’s “unsheltered.” Help also transports more than 100 people each week for door-to-door services such as medical appointments or shopping.
The West Campus on Baldwin Road is the intake of donated goods for the Second Helpings Thrift Store on East Ojai Avenue, as well as the Senior Nutrition program. The SNP delivers 115 meals per day, Monday through Friday, and also hosts a dozen or people for in-house lunches Monday through Thursday, to provide an excuse to get out of the house and socialize. The Thrift Store has become a key landmark in Ojai as well, with its ever-changing, curated selection of used goods by director Naiomi Babcock.
The demands on Help of Ojai are increasing in several areas; housing, caretaking services and socialization and emotional health.
Megan and Jayn made sure to thank the many volunteers who make everything possible, and to urge us all to support Help of Ojai through food drives, donations, shopping at 2nd Helpings and sharing the information with friends and family. You can check them out on Facebook and Instagram @helpofojai and sign up for their community bulletin at helpofojai.org.
CLOSING MESSAGE
Betsy reminded us of the value of service, as exemplified by our speakers, and ourselves:
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
– Kahlil Gibran
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